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1817.]
Observations on Mr Wordsworth's Letter.
261

but, from their want of Greek, were of necessity placed in our lower classes. He replied much at large on this subject; but his conclusion was, "Greek in Scotland is the business of the University,—and that is the reason we have so little Greek in our country." I afterwards learnt that he had had a contest with Dr Robertson on this question, and had latterly taught Greek in the High School. I think it probable that his letter may be preserved, and when I go to London I will look for it.

I never saw Dr Adam but once, when he spent a day with me at Henly, which passed, I believe, with mutual happiness to both parties; but I know all his extreme attention to his profession, and his excellent method of teaching. His publications were not merely useful, but the best of their kind. The Antiquities and Latin Dictionary were formed upon an excellent model, and the former, particularly by giving the Latin phrases for the circumstance explained, was one of the best school-books published in my time. His Geography was correct, in respect to which I claim some merit, as I recommended the engraving of D'Anville's maps to accompany it, which completed the work, and I believe promoted the sale.

The remainder of our correspondence related chiefly to Dr Doig of Stirling, who was a very excellent Greek scholar, and whose article of Philology, in the Encyclopædia, will do him lasting honour. I had, through Dr Adam, much intercourse with him, and much satisfaction from it. He was rather systematical, but highly informed, and exceedingly acute.

The last letter I received from Dr Adam related to my work on the Commerce of the Ancients. He was manifestly not satisfied with it, and reproved me kindly for not making it a more popular work;—but to have done this I must have formed a plan totally different, and I should have been thought to have encroached on Dr Robertson's Disquisitions. If it has done me credit in the north, credit is all that I wanted,—and I have been gratified more by its estimation in your country, and on the Continent, than by its reception at home. The French translator published two large editions at once, in quarto and octavo, while in London only 150 copies have been sold of my second edition: But I am contented with the approbation of some of the most excellent judges of the age, and the reception it has met with in India and abroad. I sent a copy of my second edition to the Advocate's Library; and I will thank you if you will inquire whether a copy of my translation of the two Greek Tracts reached that collection last year. It is the completion of the work:—if it arrived I need not trouble you to write again,—if otherwise, upon hearing from you, I will send it.

When I can look into my papers, if I find any thing of Dr Adam's worthy of communicating, I will convey it to you. I respect him as one of the most indefatigable instructors, and one that loved his profession. I never loved it, though I hope I did my duty. There is a pleasure in teaching and seeing the progress of the attentive;—but the inattention of the many, and the anxiety of the charge, is a sad counter-balance to the pleasure. I am now, thank God! in retirement, ease, and affluence. I am at anchor (as Paley expresses it), after the storms and fatigues of life; and with an affectionate family around me, feel all the blessings that the age of seventy-one is capable of enjoying. These, I trust and hope, will never fail till they are replaced with better prospects. Believe me, dear sir, your most obedient and faithful servant,

W. Vincent.

Islip, September 24, 1810.


P.S.—I shall be in town in October, and will be happy to receive your work, which you may send up, by means of Ballatityne, to Cadell & Davies.

Mr H———n
22, Prince's Street,
Edinborough.

OBSERVATIONS ON MR WORDSWORTH'S LETTER RELATIVE TO A NEW EDITION OF BURNS' WORKS;

By a Friend of Robert Burns.

[The following communication, for the critical department of our Magazine, was transmitted to us from England, by a gentleman of distinguished literary talents. We had not then read Mr Wordsworth's "Letter," but a consequent perusal of it has induced us to insert the Observations here, as they partake more of the character of an original essay than of a review. We wish our Magazine to be open to liberal discus-